Commissioner Gramaglia is a graduate of the State University of New York at Fredonia with a bachelor’s degree in communications and the State University of New York College at Buffalo with a Master of Public Administration. Additionally, he has attended the FBI National Executive Institute and the Police Executive Research Forum’s Senior Management Institute for Police.
With over 28 years of police experience, Commissioner Gramaglia is a staunch advocate for reducing gun and gang violence through community engagement and scientific data driven strategies. He believes in building strong relationships within the community based on trust and transparency. Commissioner Gramaglia has instituted numerous evidenced based strategies within the department including an enhanced custom notification-based program and in 2022, implemented an enhanced data driven micro-hot spot violent crime reduction plan that has shown immediate results in the reduction of shootings throughout the city.
Commissioner Gramaglia began his career with the Buffalo Housing Police Department in 1994 as a public safety officer patrolling the municipal housing developments in the City. In 1996, he was hired by the Buffalo Police Department as a police officer assigned to patrol until 2008 when he was promoted to Lieutenant assigned to patrol. He was also a member of the Underwater Rescue and Recovery Team as a scuba diver for four years. In 2013, Commissioner Gramaglia was promoted to Captain and assigned as the commander of the Homicide/Crimes Against Persons Division. In 2016, he was promoted to Chief and assigned Buffalo’s Central District, which included the central business district, entertainment areas, sporting arenas and many diverse city neighborhoods. In this assignment, he was tasked with large scale planning for many events including parades, races, large festival events, and concerts. Then-Chief Gramaglia focused on a robust community policing strategy to increase community trust and engagement that resulted in significant crime reduction and fostered deeper community relationships. In May of 2018, Commissioner Gramaglia was promoted to Deputy Police Commissioner of Operations, overseeing all policing operations and homeland security operations for the department.
Commissioner Gramaglia is a member of the Major Cities Chiefs’ Association and the eastern region board member, Police Executive Research Forum, the New York State Chiefs of Police Association and the Erie County Chiefs of Police Association.